Improvement in cotton-harvesters



J'. E. WATKINS & M. SALE.

COTTON-HARVESTERS.

-. Paten; a Sept. 4,1877.

fg' Z l ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES ATEN OFFICE.

JOHN E. WATKINS AND MORRIS SALE, OF S MITHFIELD, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN COTTON-HA RVEST'ERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,855, datedSeptember 4, 1877; application filed June 18, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN E. WATKINS and MORRIS SALE, of Smithfield,county of Henry and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and ImprovedCotton-Picker, of which the following is a specification:

This invention has relation to machines for picking cotton in the field;and the nature of our invention consists, first, in a novel combinationof devices with an exhausting-fan and a picker, hereinafter explained,whereby one of the transporting-wheels, when rotated, operatescontinually to wind up a spring, which, in turn, gives rapid motion tosaid fan and picker, as will be fully understood from the followingdescription; second, in applying the exhausting-fan and the pickingdevices on the end of aframe which is vertically adjustable on the mainframe, as will be hereinafter explained; third, in combiningpicking-nippers with a nozzle which communicates with the fan-case,which nippers will pick the cotton from the pods, deliver it into thenozzle, and keep the same clear, as will be hereinafter explained.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of themachine with the driving-wheel removed from its axle and one side of thefan-case removed. Fig. 2 is a top view of the machine. Fig. 3 is asection in detail of the driving mechanism. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectionthrough the fan -case, exhausting-nozzle, and picking device. 4

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

The main frame of the machine is designated by letter A, and is composedof two parallel bars united at their rear ends, and extended forward toform shafts for a horse. The inner bar is rigidly secured to a crankedaxle, B, on the ends of which are two transporting-wheels, G 0, one ofwhich is the driving-wheel. On the driving-wheel O is secured a largeinside gear-wheel, c, which engages with a pinion, b, applied on the hubof a spring-case, D. When the machine is moved forward, the wheel I)engages, by means of a pawl, with a ratchet on said hub, and turns thecase D but when the machine is backed the wheel b does not turn case D.

The case D is applied on a shaft, 0, rigidly attached to a vertical partof the cranked axle B, and inside of this case is a strong convolutespring, d, one end of which is attached to a slip, e, and the other endis attached to the hub of a large spur-wheel, E, loosely applied onshaft 0. The spring-case D is prevented from turning backward by aspring-pawl, 2, which engages with teeth on the periphery of the case.The large spur-wheel E engages with a pinion, 3, on the shaft 4 of abelt-wheel, F, which shaft is borne by a cranked axle, B.

G designates a frame, which is pivoted to fixed tubes 5 5, through whichthe shaft4 passes, and is adjustably secured to a slotted standard, A,rising from the frame A. Frame G is thus vertically adjustable forplants of difierent heights.

To the rear ends of the frame G a fan-case, H, is secured, whichcontains a fan, I, that receives rapid rotation from the belt-wheel F bymeans of a belt not shown in the drawings. The belt is carried under anidler, 6, and around a flanged pulley, 7.

' J designates a tapered nozzle, the mouth of i which is directeddownward. This nozzle is attached to the side of case H, as shown in thedrawings, or by a flexible tube, and as the bolls of cotton are pickedfrom the pods they are quickly drawn through the nozzle into thefan-case and blown out of this case into a sack or other suitablereceptacle.

On top of the nozzle J is a standard, 9; which affords a fulcrum for alever, H, which receives vibration from a crank on the shaft of pulley7. The outer end of this lever is forked, and has suitably attached toit nippers L, which pick the cotton from the pods and deliver it intothe mouth of. the nozzle J. These nippers will keep the nozzle clear,and prevent clogging of the cotton.

In practice we shall use a governor to regulate the speed of the fan. Wemay also use steam to run the machine.

The convolute spring that drives our fan is employed to get a reservedforce for use while stopping to gather the cotton where the pods arethickest.

We are aware that springs have been used to ease back the advance motionof millstones.

On the stem of the governor, where the valve is fastened, is placed ourspring-brake,

which is brought into contact with pulleyJ whenever the spring forcesthe fan beyond a certain number of revolutions. By having our spring ofproper length our reserved motion is obtained while it is working downin the slot. The nipper that picks the cotton out of the pod alsodelivers it to the tubes that are guided by the hand, so that the costof picking is lessened fully fifty per cent., while all trash isavoided. If the cotton is damp, it will become dry and ready for balingin passing through the picker, thus saving all labor of the dryingoperation.

Having thus fully described our invention, we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- I 1. The combination, in a cotton-picker, of asuction-fan, a picker, and a convolute spring, the latter wound up by atransporting-wheel, as shown and described.

2. In a cotton-picking machine, the combination, with cranked axle D, ofthe main frame A and vertically-adjustable frame G, bearing the fan andpicking device, substantially as described.

3. The picking-nippers L, combined with the nozzle J and fan-case H,substantially as described.

JOHN EVAN WATKINS. MORRIS SALE.

